this old fellow has pick'd up a young thing of sixteen, whom he by chance saw in a balcony! 2 Schol. And you are in love with the girl? Leand. To desperation; and I believe I am not indifferent to her; for finding that her jealous guardian took her to the chapel of a neighbouring convent every morning before it was light, I went there in the habit of a pilgrim, planting myself as near her as I could; then varied my appearance, continuing to do so from time to time, till I was convinced she had sufficiently remarked and understood my meaning. 1 Schol. Well, Leander, I'll say that for you, there is not a more industrious lad in the university of Salamanca, when a wench is to be ferreted. 2 Schol. But pr'ythee tell us now how did you get information? Leand. First from report, which raised my curiosity; and afterwards from the negro I just now mentioned: I observed that when the family was gone to bed, he often came to air himself at yonder grate; you know I am no bad chanter, nor a very scurvy minstrel; so taking a guitar, clapping a black patch on my eye, and a swathe upon one of my legs, I soon scrap'd acquaintance with my friend Mungo. He adores my songs and sarabands; and, taking me for a poor cripple, often repays me with a share of his allowance; which I accept to avoid suspicion. 1 Schol. And so Leand. And so, sir, he hath told me all the secrets of his family; and one worth knowing; for he informed me last night, that his master will this evening take a short journey into the country, from whence he proposes not to return till to-morrow, leaving his young wife, that is to be, behind him. 2 Schol. Zounds! let's scale the wall. Leand. Fair and softly; I will this instant go and put on my disguise, watch for the don's going out, attack my negro afresh, and try if by his means I cannot come into the house, or at least get a sight of my charming angel. 1 Schol. Angel! is she then so handsome? Leand. It is time for us to withdraw: come to my chambers, and there you shall know all you can desire. SCENE III. The Outside of DON DIEGO's House; which appears with Windows barred up, and an iron Grate before an Entry. Enter DON DIEGO from the House, having first unlocked the Door, and removed two or three Bars which assisted in fastening it. Diego. With the precautions I have taken, I think I run no risk in quitting my house for a short time; Leonora has never shown the least inclination to deceive me; besides, my old woman is prudent and faithful, she has all the keys, and will not part with them from herself: but suppose-suppose-by the rood and St. Francis, I will not leave it in her power to do mischief; a woman's not having it in her power to deceive you is the best security for her fidelity, and the only one a wise man will confide in; fast bind, safe find, is an excellent proverb. I'll e'en lock her up with the rest; there is a hasp to the door, and I have a padlock within which shall be my guarantee; I will wait till the negro returns with provisions he is gone to purchase; and clapping them all up together, make my mind easy by having the key they are under in my pocket. [Retires. Enter MUNGO, with a Hamper. Mun. Go, get you down, you damn hamper, you carry me now. Curse my old massa, sending me always here and dere for one something to make me tire like a mule-curse him imperance-and him dama insurance. Diego. How now? Mun. Ab, massa, bless your heart. Diego. What's that you are muttering, sirrah? massa. Diego. What do you leave your load down there for? Mun. Massa, me lily tire. Diego. Take it up, rascal. Mun. Yes, bless your heart, massa. Diego. No, lay it down: now I think on't, come hither. Mun. What you say, massa? Diego. Can you be honest? Mun. Me no savee, massa, you never ax me before. Diego. Can you tell truth? Mun. What you give me, massa? Diego. There's a pistreen for you; now tell me, do you know of any ill going on in my house? Mun. Ah, massa, a damn deal. Diego. How! that I'm a stranger to? Mun. No, massa, you lick me every day with your rattan; I'm sure, massa, that's mischief enough for poor neger man. Diego. So, so. Mun. La, massa, how could you have a heart to lick poor neger man, as you lick me last Thursday? Diego. If you have not a mind I should chastise you now, hold your tongue. Mun. Yes, massa, if you no lick me again. Diego. Listen to me, I say. Mun. You know, massa, me very good servant Diego. Then you will go on? Mun. And ought to be use kine Diego. If you utter another syllable Mun. And I'm sure, massa, you can't deny but I worky worky-I dress a victuals, and run a errands, and wash a house, and make a beds, and scrub a shoes, and wait a table. Diego. Take that. [Strikes him] Now will you listen to me? Mun. La, massa, if ever I saw Diego. I am going abroad, and shall not return till to-morrow morning. During this night I charge you not to sleep a wink, but be watchful as a lynx, and keep walking up and down the entry, that if you hear the least noise you may alarm the family. Stay here, perverse animal, take care that nobody approaches the door; I am going in, and shall be out again in a mo[Exit. ment. Mun. So I must be stay in a cold all night, and have no sleep, and get no tanks neither; then him call me tief, and rogue, and rascal, to tempt me. AIR. Dear heart, what a terrible life am I led! My pain is dere game: Me wish to de Lord me was dead. Whate'er's to be done, Poor black must run; Oh! oh! Me wish to de Lord me was dead. [Exit. Re-enter DoN DIEGO, with URSULA, who, after the Negro goes in, appears to bolt the Door on the Inside: then DON DIEGO, unseen by them, puts on a large Padlock and goes off. After which, LEANDER enters disguised. Leand. So my old Argus is departed, and the evening is as favourable for my design as I could wish. Now to attract my friend Mungo; if he is within hearing of my guitar, I am sure he will quickly make his appearance. Mun. [Appears at the Window] Who goes dere?Hip! hollo! Leand. Heaven bless you, my worthy master, will your worship's honour have a little music this evening? Mun. Stay you little-I come down. [Comes down to the Grate. Leand. I have got a bottle of delicious cordial here, given me by a charitable monk of a convent hard by, if your grace will please to taste it. Mun. Give me a sup tro a grate; come closee, man, don't be fear, old massa gone out, as say last night, and he no come back before to-morrow; come trike moosic, and give us song. Leand. I'll give your worship a song I learn'd in Barbary, when I was a slave among the Moors. Mun. Ay, do. Leand. There was a cruel and malicious Turk, who was called Heli Abdallahı Mahomet Scah, who had fifty wives and three hundred concubines. Mun. Poor man! what he do wid 'em all? Leand. Now this wicked Turk had a fair Christian slave named Jezabel, who not consenting to his beastly desires, he draws out his sabre, and is going to cut off her head; here's what he says to her. [Sings and plays] Now you shall hear the slave's answer. [Sings and plays] Now you shall hear how the wicked Turk, being greatly enraged, is again going to cut off the fair slave's head. [Sings and plays again] Now you shall hear Mun. What signify me hear?-Me no understand. Leand. Oh, you want something you understand? If your honour had said that Urs. [Appears at the Window above] Mungo! Mungo! Mun. Some one call dere Urs. Mungo, I say. Mun. What devil you want? Urs. What lewd noise is that? Mun. Lewd youself, no lewd here; play away, never mind her. Urs. I shall come down if you go on. Mun. Ay, come along, more merrier; nothing here but poor man; he sing for bit of bread. Urs. I'll have no poor man near our door: harkye, fellow, can you play the Forsaken Maid's Delight, or |